His Majesty the King performed his first royal functions on Saturday afternoon after being crowned, granting an audience for royal family members and other dignitaries and then visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
The King hosted the audience in what was his first function at the Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace shortly after he was formally crowned.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented the royal family members in delivering a speech on their behalf. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke on behalf of the cabinet, armed forces, civil servants and the public. Privy councillors also attended the function.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, the president of the National Legislative Assembly, represented the legislative branch and Supreme Court president Cheep Jullamon spoke for the judicial branch.
All paid homage to the King on the occasion of his coronation.
Diplomats and other foreign dignitaries were invited to the audience.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn speaks for royal family members during an audience granted by His Majesty the King on Saturday afternoon. (TV Pool/Public Relations Department photo)
HRH Princess Sirindhorn commended the King for his kingship and promised loyalty to His Majesty. “On behalf of the royal family members, we are determined to show loyalty and perform our best for the Chakri Dynasty,” she said.
The King, in his return message, invited all people to perform to the best of their ability to help the country and pledged further prosperity for Thailand.
His Majesty formally designated Queen Suthida as Her Majesty the Queen after he completed the coronation rites on Saturday morning.
After the audience, His Majesty left on a palanquin to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace compound to pay homage to the Emerald Buddha and be proclaimed the Royal Patron of Buddhism.
Well-wishers waiting outside the main pavilion chanted “Long live the King, long live the King!” when he descended from the man-powered carriage to the chapel.
His Majesty then returned to the palanquin to proceed to Prasart Phrathep Bidorn and the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall for the final event of the day.
Their Majesties paid their respects to the relics of royal ancestors at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at 6pm. They lit candles and gave offerings before the relics of past kings and royal family members while 22 monks prayed.
Their Majesties then returned to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, also in the Grand Palace.